HOT SAMURAI SWORD: Wakulima bag Sh1 million with rout of Nakuru as curtain falls on exciting Masaku Sevens

Samurai Wakulima celebrates their Masaku sevens victory on July 5, 2015 at kenyayya stadium.PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYOCaption

Samurai Wakulima lived up to their tournament favourite billing with a commanding display to outclass Nakuru 32-0 in the Main Cup finals of the 2015 edition of the Masaku Sevens International tournament at the Kenyatta Stadium, yesterday.

“Kudos to the boys, for winning the tournament it was not easy. We had a couple of tough games, but they played their hearts out. Good outing for them as they prepare for national sevens circuit. I can’t really tell if we will have same team next year, but we want to make Wakulima brand, so hopefully we will be here next year,” said a jubilant Wakulima coach Lavin Asego after the win.

Kenya Sevens trio of Patrice Agunda, Michael Agevi and Oscar Ouma scored a try each to hand the star-studded Wakulima select a comfortable 15-0 halftime lead.

Tournament’s top try scorer Daniel Sikuta stretched the lead to 20-0 before Biko Adema’s third conversion went wide. Cyprian Okuto touched down the fourth try before Horace Otieno made it 32-0 to help Wakulima win the title on debut and walk away with a cash prize of Sh1 million, while Nakuru pocketed Shs 300,000.

“It is mission accomplished and we are happy with the achievements. We only had a week to regroup and train, but the performance was brilliant,” said Sikuta.

On their way to the final, Wakulima beat a resilient Homeboyz 24-7 in a thrilling semi final as Nakuru stunned Young Turks 12-0 in the other semis clash.

Wakulima went ahead through Sikuta’s try that was converted by Biko Adema before Michael Wanjala (snr) scored the second try. Kelvin Masau’s converted try on the stroke of halftime narrowed the lead to 12-7.

Most Valuable Player Oscar Dennis and Michael Agevi scored a try each as Wakulima stormed into the final. Homeboyz were too good for their juniors, Young Turks, beating them 29-5 in an all Deejays third place play-offs. Harlequin lifted the Plate after beating French Frogies 34-24, while Kabras white-washed Mean Machine 62-0 as Ugandan side Pirates stunned Dagoretti 26-10 in the Shield final.

Speaking after the third place play-offs former Kenya junior team coach Paul Murunga said he was pleased with both Homeboyz and Young Turks’ display but blamed Leonard Mugaisi’s injury for their semifinal’s defeat to Wakulima.

“It gave me a chance to select a team for circuit because both are my teams. We were shocked by Turks performance because all our hopes were on Homeboyz but Mugaisi’s injury destabilized us. However, I am pleased with the players’ output and loyalty to the club,” said Murunga.

In the University Category, Catholic University of East Africa trounced Kisii 24-5 to lift the Main Cup title with Shs 200,000 in prize money, Shs 100,000 more than the runners-up as Northern, USIU and Kiambu claimed the Plate, Bowl and Shield titles respectively.

In the individual awards, Wakulima’s Oscar Dennis walked away with the MVP award in the Main Cup category as Daniel Sikuta emerged the top try scorer with each of winners receiving Shs 30,000.